Michigan State Parks GeoTour - (MSPGT2):
The geocache which you are about to seek is one of fifteen geocaches that are each a part of one of the three separate GeoTours making up the Michigan State Parks GeoTour, or MSPGT2 for short. MSPGT2 and each of its three GeoTours have a beautiful multi-part geocoin for you to earn. To qualify, you will need to download and print the Michigan State Parks GeoTours OFFICIAL LOGBOOK and follow the instructions on it. See the Resources section below for information.
Cache Details:
This is a traditional cache at the posted coordinates. It was intended to be a two stage multi with a field puzzle, and was originally going to be on the other side of the park, but heavy construction got in the way of that plan.
Please be gentle with the container Don't eat it or drop it in the fire.
Your geocacher name on the logbook is required to claim a find. Don't forget to record the Codeword on your OFFICIAL LOGBOOK. Please return everything as good or better than you found it. Please report problems in your log and send a message to MSPGT2. Our hiders do not see message traffic. If you need to contact the hider, their geocacher name is in the Information section below.
Tyler Leipprandt and Michigan Sky Media LLC for the MI DNR
Mighty Mac with an Evening Chill
Straits State Park
Straits State Park is home to 181 acres of recreation with fantastic views of the Mackinac Bridge and Straits of Mackinac. The park features a campground, overnight lodging facilities, picnic areas, viewing platforms, a playground and a waterfront area along Lake Huron. The North Country Trail goes through the park, a portion of which travels along the park’s 1-mile hiking trail.
The park is a destination on the Northern Huron Birding Trail and is especially noteworthy during spring and fall as birds migrate across the narrow straits between the Upper and Lower peninsulas. This location also makes the park a great home base to visit other area attractions, including Mackinac Island, Mackinac State Historic Parks, the Soo Locks and Tahquamenon Falls.
The Father Marquette National Memorial tells the story of the 17th-century missionary-explorer and the meeting of French and Native American cultures deep in the North American wilderness. Historical interpretation is provided by the Michigan History Center. Visitors will also enjoy an outdoor interpretive trail, picnicking and a panoramic view of the Mackinac Bridge. The site is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. The memorial is located within Straits State Park, just west of I-75, off U.S. 2.
Tyler Leipprandt and Michigan Sky Media LLC for the MI DNR
Campfire Keeping the Bridge Warm
Activity: Camping
The modern campground is located south off US-2, just east of I-75. There campsites along the top of Lake Huron with a good view of the Mighty Mackinaw Bridge. The park also includes two accessible mini-cabins.
Visit this DNR page for more information: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/camping-and-lodging
Northern Lights
MSPGT2 - Upper Peninsula Edition
Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, boasting a vast array of state parks, trails, and waterways set against a backdrop of rugged natural beauty. With over 20 state parks, the UP offers unique landscapes, from the towering cliffs of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park to the dramatic shoreline of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Parks like Tahquamenon Falls showcase one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi, while Fayette Historic State Park combines history with stunning views of Big Bay de Noc.
The region’s waterways are a paddler’s paradise, with opportunities to explore Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and countless inland rivers and lakes. Kayakers will love navigating the crystal-clear waters of the Two Hearted River or the serene inland lakes at Bewabic State Park. Anglers can cast a line for trout, salmon, and walleye, while boaters enjoy scenic harbors and secluded coves.
Miles of trails crisscross the UP, offering adventures for every type of explorer. The North Country Trail and Iron Belle Trail pass through lush forests and along dramatic shorelines, while the Copper Harbor Trails offer world-class mountain biking. Snowmobilers and cross-country skiers flock to the UP in winter to explore its groomed snowmobile trails and countless ski routes.
From camping under star-filled skies to exploring wild, untamed wilderness, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula delivers unparalleled outdoor experiences through its state parks, trails, and waterways.
Beautiful five-part GeoCoin by Chris Mackey
Rewards:
The image above shows the five-part Finder Geocoin for starting this adventure and the rewards for completing the three GeoTours that are part of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The oversized coin is trackable. When you complete one or more of the three GeoTours, the Finders Geocoin is available to order from the MSPGT2 Page on the MiGO Website. It will ship with the horseback rider insert (lower right in the third image) included free, and also with any or all of the other three inserts that you have earned by completing one, two or all three GeoTours that are part of the overall MSPGT2 experience. There is also a Supporter Coin available in the store that will not accommodate the inserts. Download the OFFICIAL LOGBOOK (see Resources Section), record the codewords included with each cache as you find them, and follow the instructions on the OFFICIAL LOGBOOK to claim your prize(s).
This geocache is one of fifteen that make up the Upper Peninsula Edition of the Michigan State Parks GeoTour (MSPGT2). The reward for completing the Upper Peninsula Edition is the Snowmobiling insert shown in the lower leftposition.
MSPGT2 Team:
Thank you, mermaidsh and Kalsin, for creating, hiding, watching and maintaining this MSPCGT2 Cache for the DNR, MiGO, and your fellow cachers.
Thank you, vj24 and kucharsm for contributing to help make this MSPGT2 Cache a success for MiGO and the Michigan DNR.
Thank you, park supervisor Charlie Maltby and the team from Straits State Park for help and cooperation placing this geocache.
Thank you, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, for this GeoTour and for providing the beautiful trinkets for the players.
Thank you, MSPGT2 Core Team Members who helped create and maintain this GeoTour:
IsabellaRoad - DNR Team Lead
kzooOtters- MiGO Team Lead
Merlin1392 - MiGO Geocaching HQ Liasion and Coin Design
LynnGeoGin - MiGO Rewards Manager
JellyFish - MiGO Hider Liaisons and Problem Management
aghudley - MiGO Cache Page design and implementation
IFollowRoads, MsPackrat - MiGO GeoTour planning
fox-and-the-hound - Coin Design and Implementation
Resources
Follow the links below for additional information:
MSPGT2 Upper Peninsula Edition (GT4F8) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Northern Lower Peninsula Edition (GT4F7) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Southern Lower Peninsula Edition (GT4F6) - GeoTour page on Geocaching.com
MSPGT2 Official Logbook - Download and print to record your progress and claim your rewards. Instructions are included.
Michigan DNR Geocaching Page - Information about MSPGT2 and other DNR Geocaching activities
Michigan DNR Recreation Passport - Required for entry into Michigan State Parks, Recreation Areas, State Campgrounds, State Harbors and State Access Points.
Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO) - MiGO Website with lots of information for geocaching in Michigan.
Michigan Geocaching Organization GeoTour Page - MiGO's MSPGT2 GeoTours page with information about the rewards.
Presented By:
The three GeoTours (Editions) making up MSPGT2 are a colaboration between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MI DNR) and the Michigan Geocaching Organization (MiGO). The MI DNR is the owner and MiGO is the creator and operator. There are fifteen caches in each of the three Geo Tour "Editions". Each of the geocaches were created and hidden by volunteer members of MiGO. Rewards for completing each "Edition" are described above. The GeoTours are currently under contract to run for two years, starting Memorial Day Weekend, 2025.